American team captain Keegan Bradley, the world No. 10, takes on the challenge of captaincy for the coming Ryder Cup. He has trumpeted ambitious plans to bring the Procore Championship, in Napa, California, into the fold as the team’s final tune-up. The round robin tournament starts September 11. That’s only two weeks before the next Ryder Cup at Bethpage on Long Island!
Bradley, who led his team to a disappointing 16.5-11.5 loss against Europe in Italy last year, believes that competing in the Procore Championship will keep players sharp. He goes on to stress that attendance at the all-day event is not required.
“Nobody needs to leave,” Bradley said. While he gets his team fired up to compete, the final choice is up to each individual player.
The Procore Championship is a key piece of Bradley’s plan to maximize the potential of the U.S. team. Europe’s players made their mark at the BMW PGA Championship as the build-up to a thrilling Ryder Cup victory began in earnest. Now, Bradley is hell-bent on meeting or exceeding that preparedness.
“The boys feel like this is the best course of action to be ready to play at their highest level at Bethpage,” he added, emphasizing the importance of competitive play leading up to the prestigious event.
The U.S. team will be made up of the top six players on their Ryder Cup standings. On August 27, Bradley himself will select another six players. Currently ranked 10th in the latest standings, Bradley capped off a strong season with a victory at the Travelers Championship in June. This win has not only strengthened the faith of his teammates and him but that of USABA as they gear up for a run in the international competition.
Last year’s experience left many in the U.S. camp questioning their approach, as most team members did not participate in any competitive events between the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup. Bradley doesn’t want his players to be tired when they get to Bethpage.
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